Plea to save Great Yarmouth’s Port Chaplain

A renewed appeal has been made for funding to save the vital role of the Great Yarmouth Port Chaplain after a poor response to previous pleas for cash.

 

Good Work (Norfolk and Waveney Industrial Mission) needs to raise £12,000 to save the post, currently held by the Rev Peter Paine (pictured right). However, only three companies based at Yarmouth port out of a possible 200 responded to letters asking for donations, raising a paltry £125 of the cash fund needed

 

The response leaves Peter’s future in jeopardy as he has enough money to see him through until December, but not beyond.  He said: “I am disappointed, but at the same time I understand where a lot of these companies are coming from. They have their own priorities to look at and, if anything goes wrong, then the first person they come to is me.”

 

He believed the current economic climate was a big reason why companies were unable to contribute as they simply did not have the cash to spare

 

He said port chaplains, present in most ports around the country, are responsible for overseeing the welfare of all sailors visiting their ports. They inspect every ship visiting their port to ensure the sailors have good living conditions, clean water and good food available

 

He said because Yarmouth was a seafaring town it was vital to keep the port chaplain role going.  He added: “We need to show people far away from home, the love and concern that the people of Yarmouth have for those at home and at sea”

 

Good Work chairman, Barry Capon, said seafarers welfare organisation The Mission to Seafarers provided half the costs of the position, but Good Work had to fund the rest

 

In the past, he has received donations from various organisations including the Bishop of Norwich, the John Jarrold Trust and the Lady Hines Trust.

 

He said: “Any small contributions from a lot of people are better than no contributions from anybody.”

 

Anyone wishing to give to the cause can contact Mr Paine at his office at First Floor, First Move Furnishaid, Artillery Square, Great Yarmouth, NR30 2LR or e-mail: portchaplain@keme.co.uk